FRAMINGHAM - A Framingham woman, who authorities say chased her neighbor with a knife Monday, may not be competent to face the charges, a forensic psychiatrist said in Framingham District Court on Monday.

Josefina Vasquez, 50, was in the midst of an "acute manic state. She's also psychotic," Dr. Rosemary Klein told Judge Robert Greco during Vasquez's arraignment.

According to a Framingham Police report filed in court, a woman was coming home to the 149 Franklin St., apartment building where she lives around 6:30 a.m. when Vasquez, another tenant, screamed at her from a window.

When the woman went into the building, "Vasquez charged at her waving a long-handled kitchen knife, putting her in fear," the report said.

The woman ran her to her apartment, locked the door and called police.

Police charged Vasquez with assault with a knife and disorderly conduct. Vasquez could not be in court during her arraignment because she began screaming on the way into the courtroom.

Klein recommended sending Vasquez to a state Department of Public Health locked psychiatric facility in Boston for an evaluation.

"I do question her competency at this point," she said.

Prosecutor Nate Burris did not argue for bail, reserving his right to request it until Vasquez is released from the facility.

Greco sent Vasquez to the DPH facility. She is due in Framingham District Court on March 27 for a pretrial conference.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date crime news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW